A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought

Question

Identify the dependent clauses from the following sentences.While I was cleaning the room, he sneaked out.

While I was cleaning the roomHe sneaked outNone of the above

Hint:

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.

The correct answer is: While I was cleaning the room

Answer - When I was cleaning the room.

Book A Free Demo

Mobile*

Grade*

Select Grade

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

I agree to get WhatsApp notifications & Marketing updates

Related Questions to study

Question

Dependent clausesIndependent clausesNot a clause.

Hint:

A Dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. A dependent clause generally starts with dependent marker words like - after, although, because etc.An Independent clause is a sentence that has a subject and verb and requires no extra information to understand the complete thought.

The correct answer is: Independent clauses

Solution : Option (a) Independent clauseHere, in the sentence "Those descriptions are not fair to ferrets" , no extra information is required to understand the thought of the sentence. The statement is complete. So, Independent clause.

Summary:

This handout defines dependent and independent clauses and explores how they are treated in standard usage.

When you want to use commas and semicolons in sentences and when you are concerned about whether a sentence is or is not a fragment, a good way to start is to be able to recognize dependent and independent clauses. The definitions offered here will help you with this.

Independent Clause

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Dependent Marker Word

A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.

Some common dependent markers: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Connecting independent clauses

There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning of an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker words.

1. Coordinating Conjunction

The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction:

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

2. Independent Marker Word

An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of an independent clause. These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone. When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

Some common independent markers: also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.

Connecting dependent and independent clauses

Subordinating conjunctions allow writers to construct complex sentences, which have an independent clause and a subordinate (or dependent) clause. Either clause can come first.

The students acted differently whenever a substitute taught the class.

Whenever a substitute taught the class, the students acted differently.

Note that the clauses are separated with a comma when the dependent clause comes first.

Some common subordinating conjunctions: after, as, before, once, since, until, and while.

Some Common Errors to Avoid

Comma Splices

A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.

Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.

• Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting.
• (or) I like this class; it is very interesting.
• (or) I like this class, and it is very interesting.
• (or) I like this class because it is very interesting.
• (or) Because it is very interesting, I like this class.

Fused Sentences

Fused sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two sentences.

Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.

• Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her.
• (or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her.
• (or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her.
• (or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.

Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.

Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.

• Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn't study.
• (or) I forgot the exam was today.

What is a group of words that does not express a complete thought?

Is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought it is a sentence?

What is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb?

What do you call a word or group of words that expresses a complete thought and sometimes contain subject and predicate?